Sofa-bed, couch-bed, &amp;c.



D. P. DYKE,

, &C.

SOFA BED, COUCH BED APPLICATION FILED Amma, 1913.

Patented Deo. 16, 1913.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l narran sane ear DARRELL FRAME DYKE, OF CHIGAGGP, ELLINOS, SSEGNGR`TU THE SEN'G COMPANY, OF GHEGGO, LLINOES, CRPQRTIQN 0T ELLIQ'S.

SOFA-BED, @GUCE-BED, de.

Application le .april F5. 1913.

To all whom i may concern:

Be it known that l, DARRELL FRANK llrnn, a. citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Coeli and State of illinois, have invented a' nevr and useful lini'irovement in Sofa-Beds, Couch-Beds, dc., of Which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates particularly to that' type of sofa-bed or couch-bed in which an inner folding-bed 'trame is normally housed in folded condition beneath the seat of the sofa or couch, in sur-'n manner that the bedding may be accomumdated in folded condition Within the folded bed-frame so that when the bed-frame is opened ,or extended the bedding Will be unfolded or spread out at the same time..

The primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved and simplified construction of the character referred to, Which canbe manufactured cheaply, which is readily manipulated, durable in use, and which does not require a frame of excessive size.

rlhe invention is illustrated in its preferred embodiment in the accompanying drawings, in Which- Figure 1 represents a broken sectional view of a couch-bed embodying the invention and showing the structure in extended or open position, the section being taken as indicated at line 1 of Fig. 5; Fig. 2, a similar broken sectional view, but showing the bed-- structure in folded condition, the dotted lines illustrating the seat in its closed positlon; Fig. 3, an enlarged broken sectional View taken as indicated at line 3 of Fig. 1.; 4, a broken perspective view showing a fragment of one of the ends of the supportingframe, and a pivot-member carried thereby; and Fig. 5, a broken horizontal sectional View taken as indicated at line 5 of Fig. 1L

In the embodiment selected for illustra-` tion, the invention comprises a supportingframe A, a seat B; a folding bed-frame C; and lever mechanism D on which the folding bed-frame is mounted.

The supporting frame A may be of any desired construction. It is shown as an open-topped box frame composed of a front side 1, a rear side 2, and ends 3. In the form illustrated, the su porting frame A is adapted to rest on the goor, being equipped with casters 4. However, the frame may be of any desired construction and used as a specialisation of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec'. itl, and 3.

semi No; 759,629.

couch-'trame in accordance With the illustration; or it may constitute a part of a sofa.- bed frame, as is now understood in the art- The seat B is shown as of the type which is adapted to swing rearwardly and assume a standing position. Thus, the rear part of the seat-frame is connected, by hinges 5, with vthe rear side Q of the frame A; and folding brace-links 6 areemployed to hold the seatin standmg position, when desired.

The folding bed-frame C comprises a plurality of foldably-rel'ated sections. LIn the form illustrated, it comprises a front section C', a rear section C2 and an intermediate section C3. In this form, the front section C is a lJ-shaped section composed of a member 7 and arms 7a; the rear section C2 is a 4U-shaped section composed of amember 8 and arms 8, and the intermediate section lC3, which constitutes a spacing-section when the bed-frame is folded, is composed of members 9 having pivotal connect-ion with the arms of the other sections, and a truss 98L which preferably has pivotal connections at its ends with the members 9.

rl`he arms of the sections C and C2 are preferably of angular cross-section, and the members 9 are also preferably of angular cross-section. The vertical flanges Vof the members 9 are connected, by pivots 10, to the vertical flanges of said arms, While the ends of the horizontal flanges afford shoulders which abut against each other when the structure is in extended position, as indicated at 11 in Fig. 1. The ends 12 of the vertical flanges ofthe members 9 of the intermediate vbed -section afford shoulders which are adapted to bear against'the horizontal flanges of the arms7a and 8a, as indicated at 1.2il in Fig. 2.

Ther endsV of the truss 9a are connected with the vertical flanges of the members 9 by pivots 13 which also serve to mount the intermediate section of the bed-frame on the lever mechanism D. Legs 14 are connected, by pivots 15, With the arms 7 near their junction With the edge-rail 7. The legs have extensions at their upper ends which are connected, by curved links 16,.With the pivots 13. vThe legactuating links 16 are adapted to serve, in connection with the legv extensions, as head and foot pieces for the sections C of the bed. Head and foot 'pieces 17, comprising bars curved or bent edgewise, are provided for the rear section C2, the bent bars 17 being connected at their end portions, by rivets 17, with the vertical flanges of the arms 8a. The lever mechanism D on which the folding-bed. is mounted comprises bent levers 18 at each end of the structure, each lever having a short arm 18L connected, by a pivot, with the front portion of the' frame A, and a long' arm 18b having studand-slot connection 18c with the arm 7a of the front bed-section; a pair of levers 19 connected,'by pivots 20, with the elbow portions of the levers 18; and links, or levers 21, connected at their center portions by pivots 22, to the rear ends of the levers 19, the

members 21 having their front or upper ends connected, by pivots 22a, with the arms 8a of the rearbed-section, and having their lower ends equipped with studs or sliding pivots 23 movable in inclined guides24 with which the end pieces 3 of the frame` are equipped.

Referring to the structure in the open position, as well as in the closed position, the front ends of the levers 19 are curved upwardly, as indicated at 19a, and the up'- curved portions 19a of said levers support the pivots 13 upon which the intermediate bed-section C3 is mounted.

For convenience in manufacturing, the arms 18a and 18b of each angular lever 18 may be separately formed, the arms being rigidly joined at the elbow, however, by rivets 25. Referring to the structure in extended position, the short arms 18a extend downwardly from the elbows of the levers,

while in the folded position of the structure., the short arms extend upwardly and forwardly, as indicated in Fig. 2. The extremities of the short arm 18 are connected, by pivots 26, pivot members 27, secured to the end members 3 of the frame near the front upper corners thereof. The members 27 are equipped, at their upper portions, with inturned lugs 28 which are provided with notches 29 with which the arms 18h1 interlock when the bed structure is in the open position. This expedient serves to prevent end racking of the bed-structure.

The sliding-connections 18C between the arms 18a of the levers 18 and the arms 7 of the bed-section C2 preferably comprise slots 30 in the vertical flanges of the members 7El and studs 31 in the extremities of the arms 18". Any suitable form of lost-motion connection may be employed, however.

The folding-bed frame is equipped with the usual flexible bed-bottom or wire fabric 32. The truss 9a is suitably curved to prevent the fabric from striking it when the bed is occupied; and the front portion of the frame A is preferably equipped with blocks or cams 33 having inclined surfaces 34 adapted to engage the truss and turn it rearwardly, if need be, in the opera-tion of folding the bed, so that the truss will not l project beneath the bottom of the frontpiecei of the frame A. Themanner in which the bed is manipulated will be readily understood.V Assuming the structure to be in the open position illustrated in Fig. 1,5it may be closed by liftingon the rail 7 to fold the termediate section, during which operation the levers 18 will turn rearwardly about the pivots 26, vwhile the studs 31 slide in the slots 30. In the further folding movement, the intermediate section will turn about the pivots 10, and thestuds 23 will slide in the guides 24 till the bed is completely collapsed and occupies the position shown in Fig. 2. In this position, the rear portion of the bed-section C2 will be supported by stops the same time, the studs 31 will engage the ends of the slots 30 in the manner illustrated in Fig. 2, and the shoulders l2 at the, ends of the members 9 of the intermediate bedsection will engage the horizontal flanges of the upper and ylower bed sections, as indicated at 12a in Fig. 2. It will be noted that when the bed is in folded condition, ample room is afforded between the upper and lower bed-sections for the folded bedding.

When it is desired to convert the structure to bed form, the seat is swung rearwardly t0 a standing position. The operator then grasps the rail 7 or the loop 36 attached thereto, and swings the 'bed-section C upwardly about the pivots 10 until the section C comes into alinement with the section C3, the studs 31 sliding in the slots 30 during this movement. Further forward movement 'of .the section C causes the bed-section C3 to turn on the pivots 13, while the levers 18 are at the same time caused to turn about the pivots 26, thus causing the bed, mounted on the pivots 20, to be lifted asa whole, during which operation the levers 19 operate the links or levers 21, vthe movement being continued until the parts are in the position shown in Fig. 1. In therst part of the extending operation, the links 16 operate to extend the legs 14. It will be noted that in the folding and unfolding operations, the levers 18 are actuated and controlled by the upper or forwardly-disposed bed-section Cf', while the bed is mainly carried on the levers 19 which are mounted on the levers 18, 18, the levers 19 serving to actuate the links or levers 21 which aid in lifting the rear bed-section, the levers 21 being, in turn, controlled by the cams or guides 24, on the frame A. Itis noted, however, that the cams 24 are employed as a matter of reference as a means of supporting the lin vs 21. Any suitable means may be employed in lieu of the cams, if desired. Also, the intermediate. bed-section is indirectly mounted upon the levers 18 which are controlled by the forwardly-y front lsection C at right angles tolthe in- 35 with which the frame A is equipped. At-

disposed bed-section, through the medium of the levers 19, thus constituting a compound lever arrangement, the levers 19 controlling the links 21, and, in turn, being controlled thereby.

The construction described is simple, cheap, durable and easily manipulated. Moreover, the invention enables a folding bed of this type to be mounted on a frame of compact form, whether-the frame be of the couch type or the sofa-bed type.

The invention has been illustrated in connection with a bed having the rails 7 and 8 of suicient length to constitute the length of the bed. In some cases it is desirable to make the couch or sofa-bed of shorter length, and have the length of the bed in the direction extending forwardly from the main frame. Where this is done, it is common to provide a foldable extension or footsection beyond the rail 7 In the appended claims, where the expression forwardlydisposed bed-section7 is employed, the expression is to be understood broadly enough to cover the invention, regardless of whether an added section is employed or not.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitation should be understood therefrom, but the appended claims should be construed as broadly as permissible in view of Vthe prior art.

VVbat l regard as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is- 1. In a structure of the character set forth, the combination with a folding bedframe comprising a plurality of foldably-related sections, including a rear section and a forwardly disposed section, of a supportingframe. levers mounted to turn on said frame and having controlling connections with the forwardly disposed bed section, levers mounted on said first-named levers and having a section of said bed mounted thereon, and connections between said second-named levers, said frame and the rear bed-section, whereby the rear bed-section is actuated and controlled in the operations of folding and unfolding the structure.

Q. ln a structure of the character setforth, the combination with a supporting frame, of a pair of levers mounted to turn thereon, second pair of levers mounted on said first-named levers, a folding bed-frame having an intermediate section mounted on said second-named levers and a rear section and a forwardly disposed section flanking said intermediate section, links connected with the rear bed-section and with said second-named levers, supporting and controlling means for said links connected with said frame, and controlling connections between said first-named levers and the forwardly-disposed bedsection.

3. ln a structure of the character set forth, the combination with a-supporting frame, of a pair of bent levers having short arms mounted on the front portion of said frame, levers mounted on the elbow portions of said first-named levers, a folding-bed comprising an intermediate section and flanking forwardly disposed and rear sections pivotally connected therewith, said intermediate section being pivotally mounted on' the front ends of said secondnamed levers, controlling connections between the long arms of said first-named levers and the forwardly-disposed bed-section, links connected with the rear bedsection and with the rear end of said secondnamed levers, and connections between said links and the supporting-frame.

4. In a struct-ure of the character set forth, the combination with a supporting frame and a folding-bed comprising a plurality of foldably-related bed-sections, including a rear section and a forwardly disposed section, of compound levers mounted on said frame and having sliding connections with the forwardly-disposed bed-section and link connections with the rear bedsection and frame.

In `a structure of the character set forth, the combination with a supportingframe and a folding-bed comprising an intermediate section and flanking rear and forwardly disposed sections pivotally connected therewith, of a pair of bent levers having one arm pivotally connected with the frame and the other' arm shiftably connected with the forwardly-disposed bedsection, a second pair of levers mounted on the elbow-portions of the first-named levers and having up-turned front ends on which said intermediate bed-section is pivotally mounted, and controlling means connected with the rear portions of said second-named levers.

6. in a structure of the character set forth, the combination with a supportingframe and a folding-bed colnprising'an intermediate section and flanking-sections pivotally connected therewith and consisting of a rear section and a forwardly disposed section, of a pair of levers pivotally connected With said intermediate section at the front ends of said levers, links pivotally connected with the rear bed-section and with the rear ends of said levers, connections between said links and the frame, and a pair of levers pivotally mounted lon the frame and having pivotal connections with said first-named levers and having also lostmotion connection With the forwardly-disposed bed-section.

7. In a structure of the character set forth, the combination with a supportingframe and a folding-bed comprising an intermediate section and rear and forwardly disposed anking sectionsfpivotally con.-

nected therewith, of a pair of levers pivotally connected with said intermediate section at the front ends of said levers, links pivotally connected with the rear bed-section and with the rear ends of said levers, cam connections between said links and said frame, and a pair of levers pivotally mounted on the frame and having pivotal connections with said first-named levers and having also lost-motion connection-with the forwardly-disposed bed-section.`

8. In a structure of the character set forth, the combination with a supportingframc anda folding-bed comprising an intermediatc bed-section and flanking rear and forwardly disposed sections pivotally connected therewith, of a pair of levers having upwardly-turned front ends pivotally connected with said intermediate bed-section, links pivotallyT connected with the rear bed-section and with the rear ends of said levers, cam connections between -said links and said frame, angular levers having short arms pivotally connected at their extremities with the front portion of said frame at a distance above the base thereof, pivotal connections between the elbow portions of said last-named levers and said first-named levers, and sliding connections between saidv last-named levers and the forwardly-disposed bed section.

9.'In a structure of the character set forth, the combination with supporting bed-section and with said supporting means.

10. In a folding-bed, the combination with a supporting-frame provided at its front portion with a cam device, of a pair of levers pivotally mounted on said frame, a second pair of levers pivotally connected with said first-named levers, a folding bedframe comprising an intermediate section pivotally mounted on the front end of said second-named levers, and flanking rear and forwardly disposed sections pivotally connected with said intermediate section, a truss pivotally connected with the end members`of said intermediate bed-section and adapted to engage the cam on said frame when the structure is folded, controlling connections between said first-named levers and vthe forwardly-disposed bed-section, and controlling means connected with the rear end of said second-named levers, with the rear bed-section, and with said supportingframe.

11. The combination with a folding-bed comprising an intermediate section and rear and forwardly disposed flanking-sections pivotally connected therewith, of a supporting-frame, a pair Vof levers pivotally connected with said frame, controlling connections between said levers and the forwardly-disposed bed-section, and lever mechanism mounted on said first-named le- Vers and carrying the intermediate and rear bed-sections7 and connections between said lever mechanism and the frame.

l2. In a structure of the character set forth, the combination with a folding bedframe comprising an intermediate bed-section and rear and forwardly disposed flanking bed-sections pivotally connected therewith, of a supporting-frame, a pair of levers pivotally connected therewith and having sliding connections with the forwardly-disposed bed-section, lever mechanism connected with the intermediate and rear bedsectio-ns and having pivotal connections with said rst-named levers and having controlling connections with the frame, and means carried by the frame for engaging and steadying said first-named levers when the structure is in extended position.

13. In a structure of the character set forth, the combination of a supporting frame having end portions equipped with forwardly and upwardly-inclined cams, a pair of levers having their rear end portions pivotally connected with the front portion of said frame, assuming the structure to be in open condition, a second pair of levers pivotally mounted on said first-named levers, a folding-bed comprising an intermediate section pivotally mounted on the front ends of said second-,named levers and rear and forwardly disposed flanking-sections pivotally connected with said intermediate section, lost-motion connections between said first-named levers and the forwardly-disposed bed-section, and links pivotally connected with the second-named levers and with the rear bed-section, said links having .studs engaging said cams.

I). FRANK DYK-E. 

